20 Best Black Film Moments of 2014

2014's best Black film moments!

In 2014, They Slayed - From the actors and their supporting co-stars to the ones who made it happen behind the camera to the ones who created the greatest soundtracks to some of our favorite films of the year and even the movies themselves, here are 20 of Black film's greatest moments of 2014.(Photos from Left: Splash News, Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Landov, Anthony Harvey/Getty Images, Nikki Nelson/WENN.com)

1 / 20

In 2014, They Slayed - From the actors and their supporting co-stars to the ones who made it happen behind the camera to the ones who created the greatest soundtracks to some of our favorite films of the year and even the movies themselves, here are 20 of Black film's greatest moments of 2014.(Photos from Left: Splash News, Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Landov, Anthony Harvey/Getty Images, Nikki Nelson/WENN.com)

The Director's Cut - Earlier this month, Ava DuVernay was nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globes. The announcement itself created a moment in history, much like the one that Ava portrayed in the MLK Jr. biopic Selma. Ava DuVernay is now the first Black female director nominated for a Golden Globe and if she wins, we'll be celebrating yet another historical moment! (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

2 / 20

The Director's Cut - Earlier this month, Ava DuVernay was nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globes. The announcement itself created a moment in history, much like the one that Ava portrayed in the MLK Jr. biopic Selma. Ava DuVernay is now the first Black female director nominated for a Golden Globe and if she wins, we'll be celebrating yet another historical moment! (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

From Legend to Superhero - Chadwick Boseman has portrayed great legends like Jackie Robinson and James Brown on the big screen and the line-up only gets better! Earlier this year, Marvel announced that Boseman had landed the role of the comic book superhero Black Panther in at least five films, beginning with Captain America: Civil War. We can’t wait!(Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images for ANHEUSER BUSCH)

3 / 20

From Legend to Superhero - Chadwick Boseman has portrayed great legends like Jackie Robinson and James Brown on the big screen and the line-up only gets better! Earlier this year, Marvel announced that Boseman had landed the role of the comic book superhero Black Panther in at least five films, beginning with Captain America: Civil War. We can’t wait!(Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images for ANHEUSER BUSCH)

Woman of the Year - This year undoubtedly belongs to Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, whose amazing performance in 12 Years a Slave got her nominated for several Best Supporting Actress awards. In 2014, she delivered a moving speech at the Academy Awards and in the months after, her beauty graced the cover of several publications. Glamour Magazine said it best, Lupita is 2014’s Woman of the Year.(Photo: Dazed & Confused Magazine, February 2014)

4 / 20

Woman of the Year - This year undoubtedly belongs to Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, whose amazing performance in 12 Years a Slave got her nominated for several Best Supporting Actress awards. In 2014, she delivered a moving speech at the Academy Awards and in the months after, her beauty graced the cover of several publications. Glamour Magazine said it best, Lupita is 2014’s Woman of the Year.(Photo: Dazed & Confused Magazine, February 2014)

Photo By Dazed & Confused Magazine, February 2014

The Too-Many-Nominations Struggle - Earlier this year, actor Idris Elba was nominated twice for Best Actor at the Golden Globes, once for his role in the hit series Luther and again for his role in the powerful film about the South African President, Nelson Mandela: A Road to Freedom. Unfortunately, he didn’t win, but we like to think that’s just a matter of perspective.(Photo: Videovision Entertainment, Distant Horizon)

5 / 20

The Too-Many-Nominations Struggle - Earlier this year, actor Idris Elba was nominated twice for Best Actor at the Golden Globes, once for his role in the hit series Luther and again for his role in the powerful film about the South African President, Nelson Mandela: A Road to Freedom. Unfortunately, he didn’t win, but we like to think that’s just a matter of perspective.(Photo: Videovision Entertainment, Distant Horizon)

ADVERTISEMENT
An Open Letter - Dear White People was easily one of 2014’s most anticipated satirical comedies. The film starred some of today's most promising Black stars, including Everyone Hates Chris's Tyler James Williams, Mad Men's Teyonnah Parris and Tessa Thompson, among others, and tackled "post-racial" American issues in a different light from other Black-centric films of 2014. (Photo: Roadside Attaractions/LionsGate)

6 / 20

An Open Letter - Dear White People was easily one of 2014’s most anticipated satirical comedies. The film starred some of today's most promising Black stars, including Everyone Hates Chris's Tyler James Williams, Mad Men's Teyonnah Parris and Tessa Thompson, among others, and tackled "post-racial" American issues in a different light from other Black-centric films of 2014. (Photo: Roadside Attaractions/LionsGate)

Top Five: December 12 - Written and directed by Chris Rock, he stars in this hip-hop inspired, political, racial, romantic all-star comedy romp. Rock plays a comedian-turned-film star whose encounter with a journalist (Rosario Dawson) forces him to re-examine the importance and responsibility of being famous today. Top Five's A-list star studded cast includes Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Hart, Sherri Shepherd, JB Smoove and many more. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

7 / 20

Rocking Steady at the Top - If 2014 proved anything about Chris Rock, it's that he never fails to be innovative while staying true to himself.  Chris used his Top Five tour not only as promotion for his film but as a platform for his views on everything from his life as a comic to being Black in Hollywood to race in America. Preach on, Brother Rock! (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Ride Along: January 17 - In this Tim-Story directed buddy comedy, Ice Cube plays James, a hot-tempered cop paired with his sister’s fast talking boyfriend Ben (Kevin Hart). The movie mixes in a bit of Training Day’s plotline when James takes Ben on a 24-hour wild night patrolling the mean streets of Atlanta — but only to see if Ben is worthy of marrying James’ sister (Tika Sumpter). (Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

8 / 20

A Recipe for Funny - In terms of successful comedies of 2014, Ride Along is a no-brainer. When Kevin Hart and Ice Cube came together, they promised fans a good time, but no one anticipated that this comedic kick-off would hold the top spot at the weekend box office for three weeks straight! It's a rarity and a status that only three movies were able to reach last year. #BowDownMitches(Photo: Universal Pictures)

Beauty Beyond the Pond - Before she hit the stage and fell in love in Beyond the Lights, British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw took us on a trip to 18th century England in Belle. Her character, Dido Belle, a woman of a mixed racial background, is thrown into a world that's racially divided and becomes a key figure in the abolition of slavery in Britain. Talk about power moves!(Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)

9 / 20

Beauty Beyond the Pond - Before she hit the stage and fell in love in Beyond the Lights, British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw took us on a trip to 18th century England in Belle. Her character, Dido Belle, a woman of a mixed racial background, is thrown into a world that's racially divided and becomes a key figure in the abolition of slavery in Britain. Talk about power moves!(Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Earlier this year, fans witnessed Andre 3000 breathe life into the story of talented guitarist James Marshall, who would soon become Jimi Hendrix. The hip hop artist did his thing on this one, managing to convey the soul of Jimi's music despite not being able to cover or use any of his greatest hits. If this isn't a testament of Andre's great skills, we don't know what is.(Photo: WENN.com)

10 / 20

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Earlier this year, fans witnessed Andre 3000 breathe life into the story of talented guitarist James Marshall, who would soon become Jimi Hendrix. The hip hop artist did his thing on this one, managing to convey the soul of Jimi's music despite not being able to cover or use any of his greatest hits. If this isn't a testament of Andre's great skills, we don't know what is.(Photo: WENN.com)

ADVERTISEMENT
An Instant Classic - In 2014, the creator of Love & Basketball gave us a new love story for the next generation.  Beyond The Lights manages to give us everything we love about films like Dreamgirls and Sparkle without making the story a blast from the past. No doubt another great classic from Gina Prince-Bythewood.(Photo: Suzanne Tenner/Blackbird Productions, LLC)

11 / 20

An Instant Classic - In 2014, the creator of Love & Basketball gave us a new love story for the next generation.  Beyond The Lights manages to give us everything we love about films like Dreamgirls and Sparkle without making the story a blast from the past. No doubt another great classic from Gina Prince-Bythewood.(Photo: Suzanne Tenner/Blackbird Productions, LLC)

Photo By Photo: Suzanne Tenner/Blackbird Productions/ Suzanne Tenner/Blackbird Productions

Madam President - Earlier this year, Cheryl Boone Isaacs won another one-year term as president of the Motion Picture Academy. Her previous win made her the first African-American and the third woman to serve as president in the Academy's 87-year history. She was also inducted into the NAACP's Hall of Fame and received Essence's Trailblazer Award! #Boss(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

12 / 20

Madam President - Earlier this year, Cheryl Boone Isaacs won another one-year term as president of the Motion Picture Academy. Her previous win made her the first African-American and the third woman to serve as president in the Academy's 87-year history. She was also inducted into the NAACP's Hall of Fame and received Essence's Trailblazer Award! #Boss(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Marching Ahead - With big names like Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo and Common, Selma instantly became a must-see. The film tells the story of Dr. King's political struggles to gain voting rights for Blacks during a particular moment in the civil rights movement. The film is significant both as a celebration of how far we've come as a nation but also as a reminder of how far we still need to go.(Photo: Efren Landaos/Press Line Photos/Splash News)

13 / 20

Marching Ahead - With big names like Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo and Common, Selma instantly became a must-see. The film tells the story of Dr. King's political struggles to gain voting rights for Blacks during a particular moment in the civil rights movement. The film is significant both as a celebration of how far we've come as a nation but also as a reminder of how far we still need to go.(Photo: Efren Landaos/Press Line Photos/Splash News)

A Star Amongst Legends - In 2014, Keke Palmer starred on Broadway as Cinderella, hosted her own TV show on BET and took her place among the biggest names in the Lifetime original A Trip to Bountiful. Even while working alongside big names like Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood, Keke manages to steal the screen with her raw talent for acting.(Photo: Lifetime)

14 / 20

A Star Amongst Legends - In 2014, Keke Palmer starred on Broadway as Cinderella, hosted her own TV show on BET and took her place among the biggest names in the Lifetime original A Trip to Bountiful. Even while working alongside big names like Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood, Keke manages to steal the screen with her raw talent for acting.(Photo: Lifetime)

Looking Good, Being Bad - The summer thriller No Good Deed was a face-off between the handsome and malicious Idris Elba and the distressed yet savvy damsel Taraji P. Henson. It delivered thrills as promised and on opening weekend knocked Guardians of the Galaxy out of the No. 1 spot! (Photo: Screen Gems)

15 / 20

Looking Good, Being Bad - The summer thriller No Good Deed was a face-off between the handsome and malicious Idris Elba and the distressed yet savvy damsel Taraji P. Henson. It delivered thrills as promised and on opening weekend knocked Guardians of the Galaxy out of the No. 1 spot! (Photo: Screen Gems)

ADVERTISEMENT
Addicted: October 10 - Pushing boundaries and eroticism that 2002's Unfaithful only toyed with, Addicted explores what happens when a successful businesswoman (Sharon Leal) gives into carnal temptations she cannot resist. It also questions if her secret life is worth risking her dream husband (Boris Kodjoe), wonderful children and fabulous career over. The film also stars Tasha Smith, Tyson Beckford and Emayatzy Corinealdi.  (Photo: Codeblack Entertainment)

16 / 20

Zane Feeds Our Addiction - In 2014, Zane's novel Addicted bared it all for the big screen. The story focuses on the life of a sexually insatiable woman and how her life is affected by her desire for more. With a line-up of beefcakes like Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford and William Levy, fans were sure to leave with an insatiable desire for more Zane.(Photo: Codeblack Entertainment)

Venus vs. Mars - It's been a great year for Kevin Hart, who, after the success of Ride Along at the start of 2014, celebrated yet another victory with the release of the Think Like a Man sequel. The film, which stole the top spot the weekend of its debut, brought back all of our favorite characters and gave us a fun boys vs. girls storyline.(Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Sony Pictures Entertainment)

17 / 20

Venus vs. Mars - It's been a great year for Kevin Hart, who, after the success of Ride Along at the start of 2014, celebrated yet another victory with the release of the Think Like a Man sequel. The film, which stole the top spot the weekend of its debut, brought back all of our favorite characters and gave us a fun boys vs. girls storyline.(Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Sony Pictures Entertainment)

The Star - Quvenzhané Wallis and her dog sidekick, Barni, from the film Annie attend the film's world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City.  (Photo: AO Images, PacificCoastNews)

18 / 20

A Day Away - Beasts of the Southern Wild made a name in Hollywood for the talented Miss Quvenzhané Wallis and fans have been patiently waiting to witness her on screen charms again. In 2014, Quvenzhané managed to make the classic story of Annie her own, captivating the audience yet again with her ability to flawlessly deliver a refreshing performance in every scene, every time.(Photo: AO Images, PacificCoastNews)

Pharrell (Nominated) - Skateboard P was nominated last year in the Best Original Song category for his platinum smash "Happy" from the film Despicable Me 2. Pharrell also performed at the show and had everyone feeling elated.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

19 / 20

If You're Happy and You Know It... - Singer songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams is the mastermind behind the "Happy" track that made the whole world dance (including Lupita N'Yongo). The feel good single was written for the animated film Despicable Me 2, nominated for an Oscar and then became the highest charting Oscar-nominated track in more than a decade (it's also the happiest — no pun intended).(Photo: John Shearer/Invision/AP Photo)

The Watch List - At the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, Justin Simien won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent for his genius Dear White People. There was no surprise then when Justin was named one of Variety's "10 Directors to Watch."(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival)

20 / 20

The Watch List - At the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, Justin Simien won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent for his genius Dear White People. There was no surprise then when Justin was named one of Variety's "10 Directors to Watch."(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival)